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Category: Travel

This year has started in roaring fashion. I feel as if I’d just blinked and opened my eyes to the top of the roller coaster. Granted there is A LOT left in store for 2020 but January has me peering over in fear of the dips, turns and curves of the rest of the ride. I decided at the end of 2019 to take a much-needed self-care/birthday trip during January, knowing that all plans would be last minute. I have been suffering and made aware of my seasonal depression since 2012 but it has always seemed to catch me by…

This year’s list is a bit more lighthearted than my usual end of the year reflection. To celebrate moving into the District of Columbia I’ve decided to share my Top Ten Most DC Moments. It was the best of times and the worst of times… 10. DC Funk Parade This was an easy candidate for this list. It just screams DC. You know funk, Chuck Brown, a parade, concerts, all on U Street. I had a fun day and spotted some new artists I love (like Ressa Renee). What made this so DC? Well, the fact that is was raining…

As you know there are many stories from my time in Rio. So this will just be a train of thought post. I think my most memorable moment was going to Christ the Redeemer by myself and enjoying the sunset. I could have stayed up there for a very, very long time. It was my first look at Ipanema and the city from afar. It really gave me perspective on my whole trip. I could see it all in one glance. What a prayer to pray from up there. I visited the night of the opening ceremonies, so it wasn’t very…

As the games get closer to the end, lots more memories are unfolding. Times that we’ll remember for a lifetime and stories that will start to get old over the dinner table. This experience was a dream for me and so many others. Just like all the athletes that come here with different goals, there are different dreams being fulfilled. For some travelling to South America was the dream. For others competing in the finals is the dream. For others just getting a picture with their favorite athlete is the dream. For me, participation was the ultimate dream. I’m a…

Commentary from my time working at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Tonight the opening ceremonies for the Olympic Games will be held. It is the night most athletes relish, mainly because it is an off day of training and the final break in their schedule. My time in the athlete’s village has been crazy! Rio’s Olympic village certainly carries a high allure of what [read: who] is to be seen. Just walking through the village you realize how many professional athletes you don’t know. As my friend would say, ‘It’s like the Disney World of Athletes’. There are…

Commentary from my time working at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. One of the things that stood out to me as I got off the plane in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janiero was the lack of Olympic decorations. I was guessing there would be Olympic rings woven into the upholstery on the busses, but if you aren’t looking for it, you won’t find it. None of the decorations and signs for the Olympics are overbearing and if you were just passing through you may not know anything was going on. (Check back with me on Friday…

By popular demand I will blog my life over the next month. I’m not trying to be overbearing, just transparent. There have been a lot of days I’ve spent pondering about this dream trip and what it means to me. To finally come to the point of getting on the plane is priceless. I have so many emotions funneling. The first is extreme gratitude for all of my family and friends who have helped me financially be able to afford the trip. They were God sent and Gracious donations. I do not mind being your representative. The second emotion would…

Today (Jan 26th) I came to visit Mother Teresa’s tomb. While the area of the city was not overly impressive, upon entering the mission the weight of the building and atmosphere was incredible. It’s not like coming into a place of worship but an overwhelming sense of oppression and gloom. I’ve prayed many times before for the gift of discernment, to understand the truth behind words, intentions, and places, but here this negative atmosphere does not seem to be unspiritual or better said, ungodly. It is just weighty. Maybe the Catholics call it purgatory… Like there is a burden of…

Millennials are all about being the ‘get up and go’ generation. We’ve blasted onto the travel scene and self-proclaimed ourselves as global citizens. We buy books with titles like, “Quit your 9-5 and travel the world” and “Delaying the real world”. Is it all hype, or are we truly trending to an individualistic, nomadic lifestyle? Working from home brings strong allure, but not having a home is becoming more and more popular. Why not live in an apartment in Thailand for $500/month when you would still be renting for twice as much at home anyways? There are many avenues to…

In many ways, my perspective will never be commonplace. I have been a minority my entire life. The only lens I have to see life like everyone else is right and wrong. These days even that lens is blurry. But I will attempt to give you a glimpse of my cultural exchanges and the perception of America(ns) I have encountered. Right now everyone around the globe seems to be a little frightened by terrorism, whatever that may be. My America is scarred, battered and filled with scorn. Knowing what is right and choosing what is right is difficult. Doing the right…